Countdown to Christmas in St Helens Borough as festive events programme revealed
The countdown to Christmas in St Helens Borough is set to begin later this month, with the hugely popular Independent Street Artisan Market returning as part of festive celebrations in both St Helens and Earlestown town centres.
Article date: 9 November 2026
This year's events - organised by St Helens Borough Council - will feature festive entertainment, family activities, and a range of artisan stalls, bring communities together and support local businesses during the festive season.
St Helens town centre - Saturday 21 November
The festive fun will begin in St Helens town centre on Saturday 21 November, with a packed programme of entertainment and activities, including:
- Independent Street Artisan Market
- Real reindeer
Free showing of Stick Man at Lucem House Community Cinema Plus (2:00pm)
- Arts and crafts in St Helens Minster
- Visits from the Grinch and Cindy Lou
- Brass bands (Valley Brass, Clock Face Brass Band, St Helens Youth Brass Band)
- Stage entertainment from local acts, including Saints Angels and Buzz Hub
The event will come to a close with Father Christmas switching on the Christmas tree lights alongside the Mayor of St Helens Borough, Councillor Stephen Little, and the Pride of St Helens Child of Courage nominees.
Earlestown town centre - Saturday 28 November
The festivities will continue in Earlestown town centre the following weekend on Saturday 28 November.
As a proud historic market town, Earlestown provides the perfect setting for the Independent Street Artisan Market, which will complement the festive programme by bringing together a number of independent traders offering unique gifts, food and seasonal treats.
Due to the ongoing regeneration works resulting in a reduced event space, this year's Earlestown Christmas event will feature:
Independent Street Artisan Market
- Family craft activities
Performances from local brass bands, choirs and street performances
Father Christmas, elves and candy canes
Councillor Stephen Claybrook, St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Heritage, said:
"Christmas is always a special time of year in our borough, bringing families, friends and communities together to celebrate and enjoy everything our town centres have to offer.
"We're delighted to once again be working with Independent Street to bring these fantastic festive events to St Helens and Earlestown. The artisan markets have proved incredibly popular throughout the year, showcasing talented traders and helping to attract more people into our town centres.
"Earlestown's proud heritage as a market town makes it an ideal home for the artisan market, which will add even more character and festive atmosphere to the event while supporting independent businesses.
"With live entertainment, family activities, festive food and drink, and of course visits from Father Christmas himself, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. We look forward to welcoming residents and visitors alike to join us in celebrating the start of the festive season."
Lisa Cowley, Director of Independent Street, said:
"We have absolutely loved working with St Helens Borough Council this year. The team has been incredibly supportive, enthusiastic and genuinely passionate about bringing exciting events into both town centres.
"The response to our St Helens Artisan Market has been phenomenal. Since launching earlier this year, the market has gone from strength to strength, with fantastic visitor numbers, wonderful feedback from the public and consistently high demand for our market pitches. It's been brilliant to see so many people coming into the town centre to shop, socialise and support small businesses.
"Christmas is such a magical time for our town centres, and we're thrilled to be part of events in both St Helens and Earlestown."
This year's Christmas trees have been kindly sponsored by town centre regeneration contractors VINCI in St Helens and Eric Wright in Earlestown.
The St Helens town centre Christmas event will take place on Saturday 21 November in Church Square from 10:00am to 6:00pm, with the Earlestown event taking place the following week on Saturday 28 November, 10:00am-5:00pm.
With the Earlestown Christmas event taking place on Saturday, the weekly flea market has been moved to the Sunday (29 November), leading to a packed weekend of market activities from Friday through to Sunday.